High voltage circuit interrupter



Oct. 16, 1945. R. H. EARLE ET AL HIGH VOLTAGE CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER FiledvDeG. 30, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS 641M 5. 6m -$0,410 bf AMA/0mm Uni. 16, 19450 R. H. EARLE ET AL HIGH VOLTAGE CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER Filed Dec. 30, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 W 5 0 1 Mm U TWM N m W W% fin M0 x a f ||II l Yh B Patented Oct. 16, 1945 HIGH VOLTAGE CIRCUIT INTEKRUPTER Ralph H. Earle, Wauwatosa, and Roald H. Amundson, Milwaukee, Wis., assignors to Line Material Company, South Milwaukee, Wis., a

corporation of Delaware Application December 30, 1943, Serial No. 516,221

30 Claims.

This invention relates to high voltage circuit interrupters.

Objects of this invention are to provide an interrupter which is capable of interrupting high voltage, heavy duty circuits, which rapidly extinguishes the resulting arc in an effective and reliable manner, and which is so constructed that the major part of the device may be used over and over again.

Further objects are to provide a. high voltage circuit interrupter Which utilizes an expulsion fuse construction but does not relyupon the normal expulsive action of the device but brings into play an additional effect whereby the normal expulsive action is not hampered but in which the main arc or power are is interrupted by means much more effective than the normal expulsion action.

Various types of circuit interrupters have heretofore been constructed in which material which evolves gas when acted upon by the arc has been employed and in which the evolved gas commingles with the gases incident to the power or main arc and is blown downwardly and outwardly. With the prior constructions, however, the evolved gases are distributed throughout substantially the entire length of the main arc channel or passageway and are not concentrated at any one point but are diffused or mixed with the ionized gases produced by the arc. The gas evolved from the material acted upon by the power arc materially increased the pressure in the arc channel, in the prior devices, with consequent danger of bursting the devices.

Objects of this invention are to provide a high voltage circuit interrupter in which the expulsive action for the main or power arc takes place and is supplemented by a powerful cross blast passing transversely across the main are so that the nor mal expulsive action is not interfered with in any manner and so that the pressure inside of the fuse tube is not increased over that due to the gases generated by the power are itself, but in which the powerful blast of arc extinguishing gases is discharged laterally of the main arc channel, thereby concentrating the arc extinguishing effect at a certain predetermined portion of the path of the main are as distinguished from commingling the arc extinguishing gases with all of the ionized gas generated by the main are as in the prior devices, and thus producing a more concentrated and direct effect at a localized and predetermined point in the main or power arc. It has been found that even with high voltages and heavy currents the apparatus forming the subject matter of this invention effectively and quick- 1y extinguishes the power are in a reliable and efilcacious manner.

In greater detail, further objects of this invention are to provide a circuit interrupter in which a main or power are is formed when the circuit is interrupted in a main arc passageway or channel, and in which an auxiliary arc is formed in series with the main arc and is caused to act upon the material which evolves an arc extinguishing gas when acted upon by an arc, and to confine this are extinguishing gas in a pressure chamber located on one side of the main arc channel and to discharge the pressure gas transversely of the main are channel, thus blowing the ionized gases at a localized point of the main arc laterally from the main arc path without increasing the pressure within the main arc channel and additionally allowing the expanding gases to cool and interrupt the power are or main are at such localized point, the total length of the path traversed by the cross blast being very short and the transverse blast of gases thereby acquiring an extremely high velocity and efl'ectively breaking the main arc, the transverse channel being preferably formed larger than the main arc channel so as to prevent the main are from finding a path around the cross blast and, instead, having the cross blast completely overlap the main arc channel and extend beyond the sides of the main are channel at least a small amount so as to insure the complete interruption of the main are as hereinabove set forth.

Further objects are to provide a drop-out fuse construction for high voltage, heavy duty circuit interruption which is so made that the main are or power are is formed in a main arc channel and are extinguishing gases are evolved from material acted upon by a secondary arc in series with the main arc and projected transversely of the main arc channel, means being provided for elongating the main arc and for drawing the auxiliary are into proximity to the gas evolving material, and means being provided for subsequently releasing the apparatus and allowing the apparatus to drop out of position.

Further objects are to provide a drop-out, high voltage, heavy duty fuse construction in which a renewable unit is provided so that the major part of the apparatus may be used repeatedly, the renewable unit being easily installed as a unit to replace a previously used refill unit, the construction allowing an ordinary type of fuse link to be employed and requiring no elaborate or complicated operations on the part of the lineman when renewing a fuse device.

Embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a side elevation of one form of the invention showing the device in operative position, such view being partly in section.

Figure 2 is a sectional view on the line 2-2 of Figure 1 with parts omitted.

Figure 31s a fragmentary view of a further form of the invention, such view being partly in section.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view of a further form of the invention, such view being in section.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view showing a further form that the invention may take, such view being partly in section.

Figure 6 is a sectional view through a container for gas evolving material. t

Figure '7 is a view of a? further form of the upper portion of the device.

Figure 8 is a sectional view on the line 88 of Figure '7.

Referring to the drawings, particularly Figures 1 and 2, it will be seen that the device comprises an upper stationary terminal indicated generally at i and a lower stationary terminal indicated generally at 2. The upper stationary terminal is provided with a pair of spaced spring arms 3 which are provided with a shoulder like portion l behind which the projections 5 of the drop-out fuse device normally are positioned, this construction being shown most clearly in Figure 3. The lower terminal 2 comprises a housing like portion 6 and a pair of hook like supporting members 7 adapted to receive the lower trunnions 8 of the fuse device, as will appear hereinafter. Preferably a relatively heavy contact spring 9 is provided which bears against projecting portions of the lower terminal of the fuse device.

The circuit interrupter comprises a main tubular portion for the main arc. This tubular portion is indicated by the reference character it and may comprise a Bakelite outer sleeve and a fiber inner sleeve. It is provided with a main arc channel or passageway ii extending therethrough. This arc passageway or channel. H is continued, as indicated at l2, upwardly to the upper end of the apparatus. 1

The upper portion i2 of the arc channel is formed in two fiber blocks it which are rigidly bolted together by means of a plurality of bolts I l passing through the spaced walls of a fitting I4 into the lower end of which the tube I is screwed. The upper end of the fiber blocks 03 are positioned between the side walls l of a fi ting IB and are secured in place by means of bolts II extending outwardly through such fitting. The fitting I6 is provided with an internally threaded tubular extension Ill. The fitting it continues upwardly in a reduced neck portion I 9 which is provided with a pair of upwardly projecting ears 20 upon which the buttonhead 2| of a fuse link normally rests. The buttonhead is clamped in place by means of a pair of pivoted clamping jaws 22 which are drawn towards each other by means of the thumb screw 23 threaded through the'bail 24 pivoted on one of the laws as shown.

The main fuse link may comprise a fusible section 25 and a strain wire 26 and a flexible leader 21. Other types of main fuse links could be employed if desired. The flexible leader extends downwardly and outwardly through the assaaee open lower end of the tube It and passes over a flip-out device or lever 28 Which is pivoted, as indicated at 29, to a main lever which has a pair of spaced arms to provided with the trunnions 8. The main lever is provided with an outwardly projecting portion SI and pivotally carries a fuse link gripping member or lever 32. A spring 38 is interposed between the flip-out lever 28 and the fuse link gripping lever 32. The

.particular construction of flip-out lever and fuse lirfifclamping means forms the subject matter of the copending application of William O. Schultz Serial No. 465,560 filed November 14, 1942, for Fuse constructions. The main lever 39 has its spaced arms positioned on opposite sides of the fuse tube and is pivoted to an outwardly projecting arm 34 rigid with a sleeve portion 35 which latter is tightly clamped to the lower portion of the tube It. The main lever 30 is provided with projecting means 36 which bearagainst the heavy contact spring 9.

When the main fuse link is ruptured, the flipout lever 28 suddenly pulls downwardly on any remaining portion of the main fuse link and thereafter the main lever 30 pivots about the axis of the trunnions 8 and moves the lower end of the fuse tu-be downwardly and outwardly, thus detaching the upper projections 5 from the latching portion l of the spring arms 3 of the upper terminal and allowing the fuse tube to execute drop-out motion.

A renewable unit in the form of a fiber or Bakelite tube 31 is removably screw threaded into the extension i8 of the fitting i6 and carries material which when acted upon by an auxiliary arc, as will hereinafter appear, evolves an arc extinguishing gas. The material may be carried within an annular glass container 38 through whose central portion and out of contact with the material a plunger 39 is adapted to slide when released, as will appear hereinafter.

The container 38 is spaced from the outer end of the tube 31 by means of a fiber sleeve 40. The

plunger is held in position by means of a pair of strain wires 6! secured thereto at their inner ends and at their outer ends secured to a metal ring 32. The metal ring 42 is held in contact with the fitting It, as shown in Figure 1. An auxiliary fuse link d3 also electrically connects the metal ring 42. and the metal plunger 39. A sleeve like metal member 64 is positioned inside of the tube 31 and is provided with an apertured end wall 45 against which the rear end of the container 38 is adapted to hear. The metal sleeve 84 terminates in a flanged portion 46 which is clamped by means of a metal cap .41 screw threaded onto the extension of a metal fitting 88, such metal fitting 48 being screw threaded to the tube 31 as shown. v

The metal sleeve 44 also carries a transverse web like member 49 which has a polygonal aperture therethrough adapted to receive the polygonal metal rod 50. A tension spring 5| has its opposite ends secured to the retractable plunger 39 and to the metal rod 50. Also it is to be noted that the plunger 39 is connected by means of a flexible conductor 52 directly with the rod 50. The rod 50 is prevented from turning as it is polygonal and as it passes through the polygonal aperture in the web 49. It is internally apertured and threaded and receives the long screw 53. The screw 53 extends outwardly through the cap 41 and is provided with an outer slotted head 54 so that it may be manipulated externally of the cap 41.

The insulating blocks I! may be formed of fiber or Transite, which is a material formed of Portland cement with asbestos fiber. Other suitable material could be used if desired. The blocks ii are provided with a transverse aperture 55 of larger diameter than the arc channel II. This aperture 55 communicates with the interior of the tube 31, which tube 31 constitutes a pressure chamber as will hereinafter appear. The fiber blocks II are provided with a plurality of divergent apertures or channels 56 which may have expanding or enlarged outer ends as indicated at 55'- The channels 56 converge and join each other and form with the channel 55 a transverse channel for the blast of gases evolved by the gas evolving material 51 carried within the container 38. This composite transverse channel for the cross blast of gases is larger than the main arc channel I! so as to prevent the main are from finding a path around the transverse blast of gases and insure that at the localized point where the blast of gases traverses the main are channel the ionized gases will be swept clear and the main arc or power are interrupted.

It is preferable to make the auxiliary fuse link 43 of at least the same current carrying capacity as the main fuse link, though preferably such auxiliary fuse link is selected so as to have a slightly larger current carrying capacity than the main fuse link. It is to be noted from Figure 1' that the auxiliary fuse link is preferably looped outwardly so as to have a portion in close proximity to the fusible section of the main fuse link so as to insure fusin of the auxiliary link when the main fuse link fuses. It is to be noted, however, that the auxiliary fuse link is out of contact with the main fuse link so that although the main fuse link may be heated up when it is carrying approximately its full rated capacity, nevertheless the auxiliary link is not heated from the main fuse link. It is to be noted further that the auxiliary fuse link is not in contact with the container 38 of the gas evolving material 51 and though the auxiliary fuse link may heat up to a certain degree under load conditions, neverthevWhen an overload occurs, the main fuse link is ruptured at the fusible section and the heat of the are immediately melts the auxiliary fuse link 13. It is to be noted that the current is now carried by the auxiliary strain wires 4| and these are immediately ruptured, and the are formed between the ring 42 and the end of the plunger 39 is drawn inwardly through the container 38 into proximity to the gas evolving material 51, the spring 5| drawing the plunger 59 inwardly and consequently extending the auxiliary arc. This auxiliary arc immediately breaks the container 38 and the heat from the auxiliary arc causes the material 51 to evolve an arc extinguishing gas. This evolution of arc extinguishing gas builds up a pressure in the pressure chamber 31 and causes a. violent cross blast directly across the main arc. This cross olast is discharged through the discharge outlet channels 56 and if desired these channels may expand as their outer end is approached. The cross blast is concentrated at a localized point with reference to the main or power are and the main are suitable material.

is ruptured at this localized point by the violent cross blast. Immediately upon rupture of the main fuse link the flip-out device or fuse link extractor 28 elongates the main arc.

It is to be noted particularly that the cross blast passes directly across the main arc and is projected through channel which is larger than the main arc channel I! so that there is no chance of the main arc persisting and finding a path around the cross blast. The cross blast is violent and the speed of travel of the projected gases is very high as the path of the cross blast is relatively short although the main arc path is relatively ong.

It has been found that high voltage, heavy duty circuits are readily interrupted by a circuit interrupter constructed in accordance with this invention and that the operation of the device is reliable and certain.

' It is obvious that other gas evolving material can be used which will evolve gas when acted upon by the arc. Also it is apparent that the gas evolving material does not have to be a liquid. It may consist of solid or gaseous material. For instance in the form shown in Figure 3, the gas evolving material is in the form of annular rings indicated by the reference character 58 and may or may not be enclosed in a surrounding capsule of protecting material, such as waxed paper for instance. As shown ln Figure 3 the apertured disks or rings 58 of the material are bare. This material may consist of compressed boric acid or other suitable material.

As shown in Figure 6, it is possible to use a powdered gas evolving material as indicated at 59 which is enclosed in an annular container 60 which may be formed of waxed paper with fiber ends, if desired, or may be formed of any other Obviously the powdered material is held in place within the container and is prevented from becoming moist, particularly if the powdered material is in the form of gunpowder for instance. Silicic acid or other suitable powdered material could be used.

In the event the arc extinguishing material is gaseous material under pressure, for instance carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, or even air, such material is carried within a metallic capsule or container 6| such as a Sparklet bulb as shown in Figure 4. In this form of the invention the metallic Sparklet bulb is carried within a fiber tube 62 which may have a filler sleeve 63 of fiber conforming approximately to the bulb 6|, the bulb being held in place by means of a screw plug 64 screwed in the terminal portion 48' corresponding to the terminal portion 48, such portion being provided with the projecting members 5 as previously described.

In this form of the invention the auxiliary fuse link 65 is secured at one end to a flanged metal ring 66 in contact with the fitting i8. The other end of the auxiliary fuse link 65 is bound tightly against or secured to the neck of the metal bulb 6|. It is to be understood that the metal bulb Si is closed by a readily fusible, relatively soft closure portion 61 which, when the auxiliary arc is formed upon rupture of the auxiliary fuse link 65, readily melts and allows the compressed gas to be discharged through the transverse blast passage 55 as previously described.

It. is intended that the fiber blocks I3 be clamped together in a gastight manner and it is preferable to form the tube ill with a reduced neck portion at its upper end which fits within or sockets within a recess formed in the blocks l3 to insure a gastight joint.

It is intended that the customer be furnished with a plurality of tubes 31 or 62 with the parts in the position shown in Figure 1 so that after blowing of one of the power fuses, the refill unit may be substituted for the previously used unit.

The previously used unit may be returned to the factory for refilling, as usually a majority of the parts of such unit are still usable.

It is to be noted from reference to Figure 1 that all of the parts within the tube 31 may be withdrawn through the rear of the tube after removal of the screw cap 41. It is to be noted also that in order to facilitate the making of these units, the screw 53 is relatively long and is adapted to be inserted through the cap 41 and to engage within the threaded aperture in the polygonal rod 50 so that as a final step in the assembly of these refill units, the screw 53 may be rotated to draw the rod 50 to its final position as shown in Figure 1, thus tensioning the spring 5|.

The invention may take other forms. For instance as shown in Figure 5, the main tube is indicated by the reference character 63 and may be of Bakelite provided with a fiber lining. It is provided with a threaded portion indicated at 39 which is screwed into the lower section of a fitting 10. The fitting I is cross-shaped and is provided with a lower section II, an outer section 12, an upper section '13, and a rear section "It. The sections 1 I, 12 and 14 are internally threaded as shown, and the section 13 is externally threaded and is adapted to receive a screw cap l5by means of which the buttonhead I6 of the fuse link is clamped in place. The fuse link may be of any suitable type. In the form shown it is provided with a fusible section and with a strain wire indicated respectively by the reference characters 11 and 18. A fiexible leader I9 extends downwardly through the open lower end of the tube 68 and may be attached to the lower terminal of the fuse tube as shown in Figure 1 for instance. The upper portion of the tube 68 is reduced in external diameter and fits snugly within the upper section 13 of the fitting 70. The pressure chamber or refill unit is indicated at 80 and is screw threaded into the. section 14 as shown in Figure 5. The auxiliary fuse link and the auxiliary strain wires are indicated at BI and 82 respectively and are attached at their outer ends to the metal ring 83, which is in contact with the fitting I0, and at their inner ends to the retractable plunger 39' corresponding in all. respects to the retractable plunger 39 previously described. The rest of the member 80 is as previously described.

The pressure chamber formed of the member 80 communicates with a transverse channel 84 which is in line with a transverse channel 85 formed in a fiber tube 86 screwed into the section 12 of the fitting 10. The channels 84 and 85 are larger in diameter than the diameter of the main arc channel 81 so as to guard against the main or power are creeping around the cross blast and to insure complete rupture of the main arc by the violet cross blast of arc extinguishing gases. The are extinguishing material is carried within an annular container indicated by the reference character 88 in Figure 5. Obviously any of the arc extinguishing materials hereinbefore described can be employed with either form of the invention.

In the event it is not desired to form the upper portion of Figure 1 of two blocks I3 bolted together, a single block indicated by the reference character 83 in Figures 7 and 8 may be employed. This block may be formed of fiber or Transite and is provided with a main or power are channel and with a cross blast channel 9! which opens into a, flaring cross blast channel 92. The channel 9! extends across the arc channel 90 and merges into the channel 92 as indicated at 93 so that the cross channel is larger in diameter than the main arc channel 90. The channel 92 may be formed by means of a saw cut and the channel '91, together with the merging portion 33, may be formed by drilling transversely into the block 39. The saw cut or channel 32 gives a flaring effect similar to that provided by the plurality of channels 56 of Figure 1 to lessen the speed of discharge of the arc extinguishing gases where they are discharged into the outside air. It is also apparent that the single block construction could have the vents arranged as in Figure 1.

Either form or fuse link clamping means for the upper portion of the device may be employed with any of the diiierent forms of the invention. If it is desired to have the fuse tube open at both ends, the form shown in Figure 1 may be employed. This form of the invention can withstand higher current values than that shown in Figure 5 where the upper end is closed for it is vented at both ends.

Obviously any of the -materials adapted to evolve gas when subjected to the heat from an electric arc can be used with any form of the invention.

It is to be noted that the expulsive action is not interfered with in any manner by the cross blast and that the arc extinguishing effect of the cross blast is added to the tendency to extinguish the are due to the expulsive action. As a matter of fact, the arc extinguishing blast has a much more profound action in the extinguishing of the power or main arc than the expulsive action alone.

It is to be noted particularly that the pressure generated within the main arc channel is not increased by the cross blast and consequently there is less danger of bursting than would be the case had the gas evolving material been carried within the main tube and the evolved gas discharged downwardly through the main tube. Instead the only pressure existing within the main tube is that due to the gases generated by the main or power arc itself in the ordinary expulsive action thereof. The cross blast has to traverse a relatively short course crossways of the main arc channel and the speed of the discharged gases from the gas evolving material when heated by the auxiliary arc is enormous and insures quick clearing of the main or power arc.

It is to be noted also that the main or power are is not caused to act upon the gas evolving material but instead a separate and distinct auxiliary arc is established in proximity to the gas evolving material and is connected in series with the main arc. This allows the main arc channel to be a simple type of straight hole of the proper size for suitable functioning of the apparatus and does not require any auxiliary apparatus to be installed within the main arc channel. As stated above, the main arc is not called upon to furnish the heat for evolving the gas. Instead a separate and wholly distinct auxiliary arc is employed for e 5019 P pose of generating the heat necessary to cause evolution of gas from the gas evolving material when acted upon by the heat of the auxiliary arc. The interruption of the cirassasse cult occurs when the violent cross blast interrupts the main or power arc and, as stated above, 1

the device is so constructed that it always interrupts the main or power are in a reliable and eillcacious manner.

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vention means has been provided which is adaptauxiliary are distinct and separate from said main ed to liberate a quantity of gas when acted upon by an arc. Thi means may be in the form of a liquid which evolves gas when acted upon by an are or a solid which evolves gas when acted upon by an arc, or the means maybe a capsule con- V tainin'g gas under pressure and having a portion adapted to fuse or rupture when acted upon by an arc. All Of these means will liberate a quantity of gas when acted upon by an arc and the invention contemplates the provisions of additionalmeans for conducting or leading this as transversely across the arc to extinguish the are by the resulting violent cross blast.

- It is to be understood that the expression gas is intended to cover either a true gas or a vapor or any mixtures that may be formed.

Although this invention has been described in considerable detail, it is to be understood that such description is intended as illustrative rather than limiting. as the invention may be variously embodied and is tobe interpreted as claimed.

We claim:

1. A circuit interrupter comprising means providing an arc channel, circuit interrupting means in said channel adapted to form a main arc in said channel, material adapted to evolve gas when acted upon by an are, means for forming an auxiliary arc in proximity to said material, and means for directing the evolved gas transversely across said main arc to extinguish said main arc.

2. A circuit interrupter comprising means providing a main channel and a cross channel opening transversely through said main channel, means providing a chamber communicating with said cross channel at one side of said main channel, material located in said chamber adapted to evolve gas when acted upon by an arc, circuit interrupting means in said main channel adapted to form a main arc in said main channel, and means for establishing an auxiliary arc in proximity to said material, whereby a blast of gas is projected transversely of said main arc to extinguish said main arc.

'3. A circuit interrupter comprising means providing a main channel and a cross channel opening transversely through said main channel, means providing a chamber communicating with the crosschannel at one side of the main channel, material located in said chamber adapted to evolve gas when acted upon by an arc, conducting means in said main channel having normally .electrically connected portions adapted to be electrically disconnected on overload and adapted to form a main arc in said main channel, and means for forming an auxiliary arc in proximity to said material, whereby a blast of gas is projected from said chamber through said cross channel across said main channel to extinguish the main arc in said main channel.

4. A circuit interrupter comprising means providing an arc channel, circuit interrupting means in said channel adapted to form a main arc in said channel, material adapted to evolve gas when acted upon by an arc, means for forming an auxiliary are distinct and separate from said main arc and in proximity to said material, and means for directing the evolved gas into said main arc to extinguish said main are.

are and in proximity to said material upon rupture of said main fuse link, and meansfor directing the evolved gas into-said main arc to extinguish said main are.

6. A circuit intemipter comprising means providing an arc channel, a main fuse link in said channel adapted to rupture and form a main arc in said channel on overload, material adapted to evolve gas when acted upon by an arc, an auxiliary fuse link adapted to rupture and form an auxiliary arc in proximity to said material upon rupture of said main fuse link, and means ior'directing the evolved gas transversely of said main arc to extinguish said main are.

7. A circuit interrupter comprising means providing a main channel and a cross channel opening transversely through said main channel, means providing a chamber communicating with said cross channel at one side of said main channel, material located in said chamber adapted to evolve gas when acted upon by an arc, a fuse link in said main channel adapted to rupture and form a main arc in said main channel on overload, and

means for establishing an auxiliary arc in prox-- imity to said material upon rupture of said fuse link, whereby a blast of gas is projected transversely of said main arc to extinguish said main arc.

8. A circuit interrupter comprising means providing a main channel and a cross channel opening transversely through said main channel, means providing a chamber communicating with said cross channel at one side of said main channel, material located in said chamber adapted to evolve gas when acted upon by an arc, a main fuse link in said main channel adapted to rupture and form a main arc in said main channel on overload, and an auxiliary i'use link for establishing an auxiliary arc in proximity to said material upon rupture of said fuse link, whereby a blast of gas is projected transversely of said main arc to extinguish said main arc.

9. A circuit interrupter comprising means providing a main channel and a cross channel opening transversely of said main channel, means providing a chamber communicating with said cross channel at one side of said main channel, material located in said chamber adapted to evolve gas when acted upon by an arc, a fuse link in said main channel adapted to rupture and form a main arc in said main channel on overload, and means including retractable means for establishing an auxiliary arc and for elongating said auxiliary arc in proximity to said material, whereby a blast of gas is projected transversely of said main arc to extinguish said main arc.

10. A circuit interrupter comprising means providing a main channel and a cross channel opening transversely of said main channel, means providing a chamber communicating with said cross channel at one side of said main channel, material located in said chamber adapted to evolve gas when acted upon by an arc, a fuse link in said main channel adapted to rupture and form a main arc in said main channel on overload, and means including an auxiliary fuse link and retractable means for establishing an auxiliary arc and for elongating said auxiliary arc in proximity to said material, whereby a blast of gas is projected transversely of said main arc to extinguish said main arc.

11. A circuit interrupter comprising means providing an arc channel, circuit interrupting means in said channel adapted to form a main arc in said channel, material adapted to evolve gas when acted upon by an arc, means for forming a a iliary arc in series with said main arc and in proximity to said material, and means for directing the evolved gas transversely across said main arc to extinguish said main are.

12. A circuit interrupter comprising means providing a main channel and a cross channel opening transversely through said main channel, means providing a chamber communicating with said cross channel at one side of said main channel, material located in said chamber adapted to evolve gas when acted upon by an arc, circuit interrupting means in said main channel adapted to form a main arc in said main channel, and means forestablishing an auxiliary arc in series with said main arc and in proximity to said material, whereby a blast of gas is projected transversely of said main arc to extinguish said main are.

13. A circuit interrupter comprising means providing an arc channel, circuit interrupting means in said channel adapted to form a main arc in said channel, material adapted to evolve gas when acted upon by an arc, means for forming an auxiliary arc in series with said main arc and in proximity to said material, and means for directing the evolved gas into said main arc to extinguish said main arc.

14. A circuit interrupter comprising means providing an arc channel, a main fuse link in said channel adapted to rupture and form a main arc in said channel on overload, material adapted to evolve gas when acted upon by an arc, an auxiliary fuse link adapted to rupture and form an auxiliary arc in series with said main arc and in proximity to said material upon rupture of said main fuse link, and means for directing the evolved gas into said main arc to extinguish said main arc.

15. A circuit interrupter comprising means providing an arc channel, a main fuse link in said channel adapted to rupture and form a main arc in said channel on overload, material adapted to evolve gas when acted upon by an arc, an auxiliary fuse link adapted to rupture and form an auxiliary arc inseries with said main arc and in proximity to said material upon rupture of said main fuse link, and means for directing the evolved gas transversely of said main arc to extinguish said main arc.

16. A circuit interrupter comprising a body portion having a main channel and a cross channel opening transversely through said main channel,

material adapted to evolve gas when acted upon by an are adjacent one end of said cross channel, closure means enclosing said material and communicating with said cross channel, conducting means in said main channel having normally electrically connected portions adapted to be electrically disconnected n overload, and means for drawing an are into proximity to said gas evolving material upon disconnection of the said portions of the conducting means, whereby a blast of gas is projected through said cross channel across said main channel to extinguish the arc in said main channel incident to the disconnection of the said portions of the conducting means.

17. A circuit interrupter comprising a body portion having a main channel and a cross channel opening transversely through said main channel, material adapted to evolve gas when acted upon by an are adjacent one end of said cross channel, closure means enclosing said material and communicating with said cross channel, conducting means in said main channel having normally electrically connected portions adapted to be electrically disconnected on overload, and means independent of said conducting means for drawing an are into proximity to said gas evolving material upon disconnection of the said portions of the conducting means, whereby a blast of gas is projected through said cross channel across said main channel to extinguish the arc in said main channel incident to the disconnection of the said portions of the conducting means.

18. A circuit interrupter comprising a main insulating body portion having a main passageway, a terminal carried by said body portion adjacent one end thereof, main conducting means extending from said terminal and located within said main passageway and having portions adapted to be electrically disconnected on overload, said body portion having a cross passageway extending transversely across said main passageway, means on one side of said body portion having a chamber adapted to resist internal pressure and communicating with said cross passageway, material adapted to evolve gas when acted upon by an are located within said chamber, and auxiliary conducting means normally electrically connected to said terminal for drawing an auxiliary are into said chamber upon disconnection of the said portions of the main conducting means to cause said gas evolving material to produce a blast through said cross passageway transversel of said main passageway.

19. A circuit interrupter comprising means providing an arc channel, circuit interrupting for directing the evolved gas into said main arc to extinguish said main arc.

20. A circuit interrupter comprising means providing an arc channel, a main fuse link in said channel adapted to rupture and form a main arc in said channel on overload, material adapted to evolve gas when acted upon by an arc, an auxiliary fuse link adapted to rupture and form an auxiliary arc in proximity to said material upon rupture of said main fuse link, means for elongating said main arc, and means for directing the evolved gas transversely of said main arc to extinguish said main arc.

21. A circuit interrupter comprising meansproviding an arc channel, a main fuse link in said channel adapted to rupture and form a main arc in said channel on overload, material adapted to evolve gas when acted upon by an arc, an auxiliary fuse link adapted to rupture and form an auxiliary arc in series with said main arc and in proximity to said material upon rupture of said main fuse link, means for elongating said main arc, and means for directing the evolved gas transversely of said main arc to extinguish said main are.

22. A circuit interrupter comprising means providing a main channel and a cross channel opening. transversely of said main channel, means providing a chamber communicating with said cross channel at one side oi said main channel, material located in said chamber adapted to evolve gas when acted upon by an arc, a fuse link in said main channel adapted to rupture and form a main arc in said main channel on overload, means for elongating said main arc, and means including an auxiliary fuse link and retractable means for establishing an auxiliary arc and for elongating said auxiliary are in proximity to said material, whereby a blast of gas is projected transversely of said main arc to extinguish said main arc.

23. A circuit interrupter comprising a bod portion having a main channel and a cross channel opening transversely through said main channel, said cross channel being larger than said main channel, material adapted to evolve gas when acted upon by an are adjacent one end of said cross channel, closure means enclosing said material and communicating with said cross channel, conducting means in said main channel having normally electrically connected portions adapted to be electricall disconnected on overload, and means for drawing an are into proximity to said gas evolving material upon disconnection of the said portions of the conducting means, whereby a blast of gas is projected through said cross channel across said main channel to extinguish the arc in said main channel incident to the disconnection of the said portions of the conducting means.

24. A circuit interrupter comprising a body portion having a main channel and a cross channel opening transversely through said main channel, said cross channel being larger than said main channel, material adapted to evolve gas when acted upon by an are adjacent one end of said cross channel, closure means enclosing said material and communicating with said cross channel, conducting means in said main channel having normally electrically connected portions adapted to be electrically disconnected on overload, and means independent of said conducting means for drawing an arc into proximity to said gas evolving material upon disconnection of the said portions of the conducting means, whereby a blast of gas is projected through said cross channel across said main channel to extinguish the arc in said main channel incident to the disconnection of the said portions of the conducting means.

25. A circuit interrupter comprising a main insulating body portion having a main passageway, a terminal carried by said body portion adiacent one end thereof, main conducting. means extending from said terminal and located within said main passageway and having portions adapted to be electrically disconnected on overload, said body portion having a cross passageway extending transversely across said main passageway, said cross passageway being larger than said main passageway,means on one side or said body portion having a chamber adapted to resist internal pressure and communicating with said cross passageway, material adapted to evolve gas when acted upon by an are located within said chamber, and auxiliary conducting means normally electrically connected to said terminal for drawing an auxiliary am into said chamber upon disconnection of the said portions or the main conducting mean to cause said gas evolving material to Produce a blast through said cross passageway transversely of said main passageway.

26. A circuit interrupter comprising means providing an arc channel, circuit interrupting means in said channel adapted to form a main arc in said channel, means adapted to liberate a quantity of gas when acted upon by an arc, means for forming an auxiliary arc in proximity to said last mentioned means, and means for directing the liberated gas transversely across said main arc to extinguish said main arc.

27. A circuit interrupter comprising means providing a main channel and a cross channel opening transversely through said main channel, means providing a chamber communicating with said cross channel at one side of said main channel, means adapted to liberate a quantity of gas when acted upon by an are located within said chamber, circuit interrupting means in said main channel adapted to form a main arc in said main channel, and means for establishing an auxiliary arc in proximity to the means adapted to liberate the said gas, whereby a blast of gas is projected transversely of said main arc to extinguish said mamarc.

28. A circuit interrupter comprising means providing a main channel and a cross channel' opening transversely through said main channel, means providing a chamber communicating with said cross channel at one side of said main channel, liquid material adapted to evolve a quantity of gas when acted upon by an arc located within said chamber, circuit interrupting means in said main channel adapted to form a main arc in said main channel, and means for establishing an auxiliary arc in proximity to said liquid material, whereby a blast of gas is projected transversely of said main arc to extinguish said main arc.

29. A circuit interrupter comprising means providing a main channel and a cross channel opening transversely through said main channel, means providing a, chamber communicating with said cross channel at one side of said main channel, solid material adapted to evolve a quantity of gas when acted upon by an arc located within said chamber, circuit interrupting means in said main channel adapted to form a main arc in said main channel, and means for establishing an auxiliary arc in proximity to said solid material, whereby a blast of gas is projected transversely of said main arc to extinguish said mamarc.

30. A circuit interrupter comprising means providing a main channel and a cross channel opening transversely through said main channel, a capsule containing gas under pressure having a portion adapted to rupture when acted upon by an arc, said capsule being located adjacent said cross channel for projecting a blast of gas through said cross channel when acted upon by an arc, circuit interrupting means in said main channel adapted to form a main arc in said main channel, and means for establishing an auxiliary arc in proximity to said capsule, whereby a blast of gas is projected transversely of said main arc to extinguish said main arc.

RALPH H. EARLE.

ROALD H. AMUNDSOR, 

